How to create a cardboard model with BricsCAD Mechanical?

juliette1699 · March 12

I want to create a cardboard model with BricsCAD Mechanical， IKEA-style assembly manual and a video demonstrating its assembly. Sheet Metal OR Assembly?
What steps should I follow?
I asked CHATGPT.Answers are below.
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To create a cardboard model using BricsCAD Mechanical, you have two possible approaches:

Sheet Metal Workflow (Recommended for Foldable Models)
- Best if your model is designed from a single sheet of cardboard with fold lines.
- Allows you to unfold the design automatically and generate a flat pattern.
- Ideal for making IKEA-style assembly instructions since it provides clear folding and cutting guidelines.
Assembly Workflow (For Multi-Part Models)
- Useful if your model consists of multiple separate parts that need to be joined together.
- Provides a structured assembly process with constraints and exploded views.
- More suitable for complex models where interlocking parts are involved.

Recommended Steps

1. Choose the Workflow

If the model is a single piece of cardboard with folds → Sheet Metal Module
If the model is multiple interlocking parts → Assembly Module

2. Design the Model in BricsCAD Mechanical

Use 3D modeling tools to create the shape.
If using Sheet Metal, apply bend lines and unfold the design.
If using Assembly, create individual parts and assemble them with constraints.

3. Generate Assembly Instructions (IKEA-Style)

Exploded View: Create a step-by-step exploded view using the Drawing workspace.
Numbering & Annotations: Add part numbers and directional arrows.
Flat Pattern (For Sheet Metal): Export the DXF file for cutting.

4. Export for Production

For cardboard cutting, export the flat pattern as DXF/PDF.
Generate 2D assembly instructions as vector drawings (DWG/PDF).

5. Create an Assembly Video

Use BricsCAD Animation to create an exploded view animation.
Export the animation as a video file.
Optionally, use video editing software (Blender, After Effects) to add annotations.

Final Deliverables

✅ Cardboard-ready files (DXF for cutting)
✅ IKEA-style assembly manual (PDF/DWG)
✅ Assembly animation video (MP4/GIF)

Virgil · March 13

Hello.

Probably, ChatGPT was not trained to answer "I don't know.".
In the absence of a clear specific information placed somewhere on the Internet, the answer might, sometimes, be confusing.

Bricscad doesn't include specific tools for cardboard design.

The sheet metal tools could be used for this task only with a very large approximation, which might render them not useful.

— Sheet metal assumes the part has a constant thickness all over.
Because of this, the outer radius of a bend is always equal to the inner radius plus the thickness.
The inner radius is always larger that zero, it can't be zero.

— The bends are always cylindrical.

— Also, there are some automatic corner treatments, to accommodate the thickness where two bends meet.